Leaves and yard debris removal tool

Abstract

A debris removal tool having a pair of opposing pivoting blades each having a shape providing light weight and inexpensive manufacture. The blade is a continuous, smooth curve from a straight lower edge to an arcuate, generally semi-circular, upper edge. The outer corners of the upper edges of opposing, complementary blades are pivotally connected to define a pivot axis therebetween. When the blades close, their straight sides and straight lower edge mate, to form a closed bottom, somewhat upright cone shape with a straight bottom edge fully enclosing the debris. The lower edge of each blade is parallel to the pivot axis and may include serrations to enhance grasping of debris. Reinforcing gussets and handle retaining bosses may be provided in the blade to retain the handles and maintain tool rigidity while remaining light in weight.

1 . A yard debris and leaf removal tool comprising: 
 a pair of opposing curved blade members each having an outwardly curved body with a pair of spaced opposing upper corners, wherein the facing pairs of upper corners of the blade members are joined together so as to pivot about a pivot axis through the joined corners, each blade member having an outwardly curved edge extending between the spaced upper corners and a straight linear side edge extending from one of the upper corners to one end of a generally straight bottom edge of the blade member, wherein the bottom edge of the blade member substantially extends along a line parallel to the pivot axis; and    a pair of handles each fastened to one of the blade members so that the handles may be moved toward each other about the pivot axis of the blade members to place the tool in an open position and away from each other to close the blades together to a closed position.    
   
   
       2 . The tool according to  claim 1  wherein the curved blade member extends in a straight direction from the upper outwardly curved edge extending between the upper corners to a bottom end portion terminating at the straight bottom edge.  
   
   
       3 . The tool according to  claim 1  wherein the bottom edge of the blade member has a series of serrations along a portion of its length for grasping debris.  
   
   
       4 . The tool according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a pair of bosses formed in each blade member for receiving one of the rod shaped handles; and    a pair of radial ribs extending from each of the bosses.    
   
   
       5 . The tool according to  claim 4  wherein the bosses protrude from an inner surface of the blade members.  
   
   
       6 . The tool according to  claim 1  wherein the side edges and the bottom edge lie of each blade member in a single plane and the upper curved edge lies in a plane normal to the single plane.  
   
   
       7 . The tool according to  claim 2  wherein the straight direction is orthogonal to the bottom edge.  
   
   
       8 . A yard debris and leaf removal tool comprising: 
 a pair of opposing curved blade members each having an outwardly curved body with a pair of spaced opposing upper corners, wherein the facing pairs of upper corners of the blade members are joined together so as to pivot about a pivot axis through the joined corners, each blade member having an outwardly curved edge extending between the spaced upper corners and a straight linear side edge extending from one of the upper corners to one end of a generally straight bottom edge of the blade member, wherein the bottom edge of the blade member substantially extends along a line parallel to the pivot axis and has a series of serrations extending along a portion of its length; and    a pair of handles each fastened to one of the blade members so that the handles may be moved toward each other about the pivot axis of the blade members to place the tool in an open position and away from each other to close the blades together to a closed position.    
   
   
       9 . The tool according to  claim 8  wherein the curved blade member extends in a straight direction from the upper outwardly curved edge extending between the upper corners to a bottom end portion terminating at the straight bottom edge.  
   
   
       10 . The tool according to  claim 8  wherein the side edges and the bottom edge lie of each blade member in a single plane and the upper curved edge lies in a plane normal to the single plane.